American Crossroads, the outsized Karl Rove-backed third-party group formed to aid GOP candidates, is pushing back at criticism from the right that Capito isn’t conservative enough for West Virginia’s Senate seat.

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“It’s distasteful to see Washington politicos clubbing Republican candidates right out of the gate – especially ones with the guts to challenge an entrenched incumbent, and who enjoy the broad base of local support that Shelly Moore Capito appears to have,” said Crossroads president Steven Law in a statement released to POLITICO.

Law’s comment is a not-so-veiled reference to blistering attacks by the Club for Growth and Senate Conservatives Fund just hours after Capito’s campaign announcement Monday.

For the moment, Capito’s race is against Democratic Sen. Jay Rockefeller, though the 75-year-old lawmaker has yet to say whether he will pursue another term.

“West Virginia represents an important pick-up opportunity for Republicans this year, and we’re going to do everything we can to ensure we have the most competitive conservative candidate possible for this seat,” Law said.

With her candidacy just an hour old Monday, the Club pummeled the congresswoman for her “support for bailouts, debt increases, earmarks, and massive expansions of big-government spending programs.” The Senate Conservatives Fund also outlined its opposition to Capito.

The pushback from Crossroads comes as the group is seriously weighing whether to get involved in GOP primaries — a tactic it avoided during the 2012 cycle.

Many Republicans were taken aback at the speed of the assault from the right when there’s little indication there’s a viable alternative yet willing to challenge Capito in a primary.

“That’s the problem in West Virginia,” lamented Morgantown tea party leader Cindy Frich, who just won a seat in the state legislature. “We don’t have a deep bench.”

Mike Callaghan, Capito’s 2006 Democratic opponent, said he would likely enter the Senate race if Rockefeller retires. But in an interview, he saluted her political chops.

“I ran a hell of a race against her and she beat me pretty good in 2006,” Callaghan, a former assistant U.S. attorney, said. “She is really good, I respect her and her abilities. On the Republican side, only a fool would run against her.”

American Crossroads, the outd Karl Rove-backed third-party group formed to aid GOP candidates, is pushing back at criticism from the right that Capito isn’t conservative enough for West Virginia’s Senate seat.

Don't you just know Capito is writhing with discomfort to have KKKarl Rove talking about her favorably?